Ian Arnold could face more charges pending autopsy that was completed Thursday morning

FORT LAUDERDALE — A Fort Lauderdale man accused of striking and shaking a year-old boy who later died made his first appearance in court Thursday.

Ian Arnold, 22, is charged with aggravated child abuse against Kamarie Bowles, who died Wednesday morning.

Officials said homicide charges are possible against Arnold, pending the results of an autopsy that was performed Thursday morning. Police have not yet released the findings from that examination.

Arnold's bail was denied by Broward Magistrate Judge John "Jay" Hurley, who told him via video teleconference, "The baby died, most likely as a result of your actions."

Arnold told Fort Lauderdale police officers he grabbed the child Sunday to pull him away from a computer, causing hand-shaped bruises on both sides of his body and brain injuries, police said.

Authorities became aware of the incident Monday, when Arnold called 911 to report the child was "breathing funny and his eyes were not moving," according to an arrest report.

Paramedics responded to Pine Crest Apartments, a two-story complex in the 5900 block of Northeast 18 Avenue and took Kamarie to Holy Cross Hospital. But his injuries required him to be transferred to Broward General Medical Center, police said.

Police said the baby showed signs of being shaken.

Arnold was at the one-bedroom apartment rented by the baby's mother, Jennifer Jeffries, 20. According to police, Arnold told investigators he must have "snatched" the baby too hard from the computer. When he saw photos of Kamarie's bruises, Arnold told officers, "Those are mine. I did that," according to the arrest report.

Arnold was arrested Wednesday morning on one count of aggravated child abuse and one count of a probation violation from an earlier aggravated assault case.

Pine Crest Apartments rental agent Silvia Gualdron said she didn't know whether Arnold was living with Jeffries, who moved into the building in April. She said she knew of no complaints from neighbors about any noise made by the baby.

Jeffries is a part-time saleswoman at a Wings store in Fort Lauderdale. Her colleague and "best friend," Sherree Ward, said of the baby, "He was her life. She would do anything for him."

Police ask that anyone with information about the case to call Detective Brice Brittenum at 954-828-5898, Detective William DeJesus at 954-828-5366, or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).